A TREE has been planted in the grounds of a Dorset care home to mark the 100 year anniversary of a global volunteer movement.

Staff and residents at Barchester's Trinity Manor care home in Sherborne were 'honoured' to receive a tree to make the centenary year of Soroptomist International, a worldwide volunteer service organisation for women who work for peace, and in particular to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

The organisation, which works on grassroots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential and have an equal voice in communities worldwide, was started in 1921 in Oakland, California and has more than 72,000 members in 121 countries. It will celebrate its 100th birthday on October 1, 2021.

 

Dorset Echo: Tree planted at Trinity Manor, Sherborne to mark 100 years of Soroptimist International Picture: BarchesterTree planted at Trinity Manor, Sherborne to mark 100 years of Soroptimist International Picture: Barchester

Last week, the Mayor of Sherborne, along with members of Yeovil, Sherborne and District Soroptimist International Club gathered together in the Trinity Manor gardens to dedicate the specially chosen crab apple tree, which residents and staff will get to enjoy watching grow.

Rebekah Goddard, home service advisor at Trinity Manor, said: "What an honour it is for our home to be chosen to receive this lovely tree. It will be a real pleasure for our residents to watch it become home to lots of wildlife."

Mayor of Sherborne Anne Hall said: "It was an absolute pleasure to be invited to the dedication of a crab apple tree to commemorate the centenary of Soroptimist International and to meet some of their members.

"An enjoyable couple of hours chatting and making new connections."

At the planting ceremony, a new plaque was unveiled by the club president Johanna Maidment to formally dedicate the new tree to the global peace movement and to celebrate the 100 year milestone it has reached.

Dorset Echo: Plaque marking 100 years of Soroptimist International Picture: BarchesterPlaque marking 100 years of Soroptimist International Picture: Barchester

Johanna said: "Soroptimists worldwide have planted trees to commemorate their centenary and reflect on the first group ever who saved Californian redwood trees.

"Our local club is actually only 70 years old and we have decided to celebrate with 70 acts of kindness both locally and overseas."

For more information about Trinity Manor, visit www.barchester.com/home/trinity-manor-care-home